Can-washing machine



Dee- 13,1927.

J. WOLFINGER ET AL cfm WASHING rmamma Filed Jan. 15 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 qt. a

EO m V Dec. 13, 1927.

. J. WOLFINGER ET AL GAN WASHING lucarne Y Filed Jan.l5, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Faber/E 55 5J;

, twisted so as to Patented Dec. 13, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH 'WOLFIN'GER ROBERT D. BAKER, OF DUNDAS, WISCONSIN. CAN-WASHING MACHINE.

Application ledi'anuary 15, 1926. Serial No. 81,375.

This invention relates to a can washing machine.

In canneries, various attempts have been made to wash the cans but these attemp designed to overcome the defects noted above, and objects of this invention are to provide a can washing machine in which the cans are thoroughly washed by successive applicationsv of water and steam, in which the water and steam is very greatly conservedover present forms of can washing devices, in which there is no chance of damaging the cans, and in which a free, unobstructed and perfect drawing of the cans results.

A11 embodiment of the invention is shown 'n the accompanying drawings, in which:-`

Figure 1 is a side view partly broken away showing tle can washer.

Figure 2 is a horizontal View partly in section through the device.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectionalview taken approximately on the line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional detail of the valves controlling the flow of water and steam.

Figure 5 is a sectional View on the line v5 5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a sectional View on the line 6`6 ofFigure 3.

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view through one of the spraying nozzles.

Figure 8 is a section Figure 7.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the can washer comprises a compartment or hood 1, into which the cans are passed by means of the conveyor 2.

It is to be noted that the conveyor, at its upper end, is adapted to receive the cans as they are rolled thereinto, and is curved and stand the cans upright with their open ends presented downwardly.

e cans are advanced in a step by step manner by means of the wheel 3, such wheel being provided with a plurality of arms somewhat in the nature of a star Wheel, al-

, though the arms themselves are curved and approximate circular disks.

They lit into Athe cans, as shown in Figure 1, and as the advance the cans in a to tilt about such fingers, as shown at the left end of Figure 3, and to gradually assume a horizontal position. When the an opening 8 in one of the vertical sides of the compartment 1 and pass along anged tracks 9 (see Figure 2) to the filling station.

During thoroughly cleaned.

The cold water washes the dirt out without any caking or baking thereof. Thereafter, the hot water aids in a further cleaning and scouring of the cans, and subsequently the steam completes the sterilization and heats the cans, making them quickly dr il; is particularly noted that during these operations, the cans stand vertically and are free to drain through the unobstructed open lower ends. There is, therefore, bility of slow drainingcon the one hand or of This drammg action continues `even after gas pocketing water on the other hand. v

occur. This, however,

555/"316 allowed soV they have left the last nozzle. The cans are, therefore, completely highly heated by the steam when they are delivered to the cross conveyor 9, and consequently the minute amount of moisture adhering to the walls of the cans is quickly evaporated.

It is apparent that if the cans merely pass through continuously operating sprays that a large waste of water and steam will is not the case with the presentinvention as the steam and water are simultaneously turned on and needed. This turning on and oi the steam and water is automatically controlledV in a very simple and novel manner.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a longitudinally extending shaft 13 parallels the compartment 1 and is spaced outside of such compartment. This shaft passes through fittings 14 communicating with the supply pl es for the steam and water, one valve mg provided for the cold water, one for the hot water and onefor the steam, it being noted that the steam pipes are joined, as indicated at 15 in Figure 2.4 The supply hot water pipe is indicated at 16 in Figures 1 and 2, and the supply cold water pipe is indicated at 17. These fittings 14 are alike and are each provided sides which compress packing or other suitable material and thus seal the joint with the shaft 13.

The shaft 13 is provided with a transverse hole or port 19 drilled therethrough along a diameter and one of these holes is provided for each of the valve bodies or fittings 14 so that at each half revolution of the shaft, the fluid is turned on and, at intermediate points, is cut off. ,y

Further, this shaft continues to thev receiving end of the device and is provided with a beveled pinion 20 which meshes with a bevel gear 21 rigid upon the shaft of the star Wheel 3. Further, lat the other end of the shaft a beveled pinion 22 is provided which meshes with the beveled mion 23 carried by the transverse shaft 24 of the driving conveyor sprocket wheel 25, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The arrangement of the projecting fingers 5, and the timingof the shaft 13, the star wheel 3, and the conveyor is such that the cans a peri of dwell over each nozzle, and the nozzles are simultaneously supplied with their appropriate fluid by means of the valves former d by the shaft 13 and the fitting 14. However, at the next motion of the conveyor, thenozzles are all simultaneously closed while the cans are advanced. A

The means foradvancing the cans consists of a ratchet ywheel 26 mounted upon the shaft 24,111.8 shown in Figures 1 andl2.

drained and are of the hood or This ratchet wheel is operated by means of a spring urged pawl 27 (see Figure 1,) which is driven by means of a pitman 28 adjustably connected to a driven cran such crank beingcarried by the shaft of the driving pulley 30. In this manner, a quick motion with a subsequent period of dwell is imparted to the conveyor and the cans are accordingly moved, as described above.

In reference to the conveyor 6, it is to be noted, particularly from Figures 5 and 6, that in reality the conveyor consists of a pair of spaced sprocket chains joined at intervals by transverse members 6 which carry the' projecting lingers 5, so as to leave a free and open space underneath the cans. l

All dripping of liquid Jfrom the lWasher is prevented by means of the construction container 1. It is toy be noted that an extended bottom 31 is provided, as shown in vFigure 3, and that this bottom slants downwardly to a drain pipe 32. Further, the opening 8 is spaced above the slanting portion 33 of the bottom so that by no possible chance can 'water escape from the compartment 1.

In order to insure a whirling action of the several sprays, a peculiar Aform'of nozzle is employed. The nozzles are all alike and, for instance, one of them 10, has been shown in section in Figures 7 and 8. The nozzle consists of a body portion 34 threaded upon the supply pipe and provided with upwardly and oppositely slanting apertures 35 which extend through the web of the body portion. A recess 36 is formed in the body portion, and the in this Yrecess due to the slanting passageways or ducts 35.

The top of the recess 36 is closed by means of a disk 37 provided with a small circular aperture 38, such disk being held in place by means of the cap 39 screwed upon the body portion. Obviously, when fluid, under pressure, is supplied the nozzles, such fluid passes upwardly through the passageways 35 and is rapidly spun in the recess 36. Thereafter, the spinning fluid passes throng the aperture 38 and consequently a spinning spray is given by each of the nozzles.

It isto be noted that provision is made for any inadvertent leak at the valves or fittings 14. For example, as shown in Figure 5, an inwardly slanting V-shaped collecting member 40 is positioned below the shaft 14l and se'cured to the face of the container or housing member 1, and one or more small apertures 41 are formed in the vertical wall of the housing or casing 1 to permit a dripping to pass inwardly into the housing or casing.

It will be seen that a novel form of can 'washer has been provided which will wash fluid is rapidly .spun

casing through the cans by subjecting them successively to whirling spra s of cold water, hot water and steam, an whic Y will hold the cans vertically with their open portions downwardly so as to permit the utmost freedom of draining.

Further, it will be seen that a novel form of control for the several sprays is provided so that when the cans are. not directly over the sprays the sprays are shut ol" to avoid waste of the washing fluids.

The cans are allowed to dwell only directly over the spray nozzzle and such cans are in motion at all times when they are between such nozzles.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail, such description is intended as illustrative rather than limiting as the invention may be variously vembodied such invention is to be determined as claime e claim:

1. A can washing machine comprising a which the cans are passed, a conveyor for moving said cans through said casing with their open ends presented downwardly, a plurality of nozzles adapted to project streams of iiuid into said inverted cans, means torv imparting a step by step I notion to said conveyor to insure a. dwell of the cans over the nozzles so that a pluL rality of cans may be simultaneously sprayed, an elongated valve rod connected to said conveyor, a plurality of casings directly contacting with having apertures therethrough cooperating said rod, .said rod cut oil' when the cans are shifted from such position.

2. A can washing machine comprising aw casing, a runway for leading cans to said casng, a star wheel for rece1v1ng the cans and a COIlSlIl.

JOSEPH ROBERT WLFINGER. D. BAKER.

valve fittings surround- 4 

